Published: Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 4:50 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 4:50 p.m.

Jacksonville Trinity Christian head football coach Verlon Dorminey remembers the second round of the 2006 playoffs like it was yesterday. So much so that he couldn't help but admit that he might coach Friday's playoff game against visiting Trinity Catholic with an extra chip on his shoulder.

Facts

Friday's football playoffs

Trinity Catholic (8-3) at Trinity Christian (9-1)South Sumter (11-0) at North Marion (9-2)-- Both games kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

It was Friday night, Nov. 17, 2006 when John Brantley IV, Dion LeCorn, Antonio Allen and the Celtics marched into Jacksonville and handed the Conquerors a 45-0 loss in a game of unbeaten teams.

"It was nothing-nothing at the end of the first quarter and 24-0 in the second," Dorminey recalled. "It's obviously so far in the past for our kids now, but for us as a staff, we sure remember when Johnny and the boys came up here and whooped us."

This year's crop of Celtics (8-3) would like nothing better than a repeat performance of that day seven years ago when the two meet in the Class 3A, Region 1 final Friday night. It will be one of two playoff games involving county teams. North Marion (9-2) will host Bushnell South Sumter (11-0) in a Class 5A, Region 2 semifinal.

The task at hand for Trinity Catholic is no small order. Trinity Christian (9-1) is the state's top-ranked team in 3A and No. 1 nationally in a Maxpreps.com poll among small schools.

"Our kids read the Internet and the paper and they've seen them at combines," Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley III said. "They know Trinity Christian is a talented bunch."

But Trinity Catholic is no stranger to facing top-notch competition this season. The Celtics took on IMG Academy, Clearwater Central Catholic and Tampa Jesuit. While they lost all three, valuable experience was gained along the way.

Brantley is no stranger to coaching against the state's best. Since his arrival in 2008, Brantley has nine wins against ranked teams, including a 2010 win over Jacksonville Bolles, which was ranked No. 1 at the time. Playoff wins against Pensacola Catholic and University School in 2010 also stick out. It's evident his players are buying into what he's selling.

"Trinity Christian is a good team and they're well coached with a lot of athletes out there, but we've been practicing hard all week and we've got a good game plan," senior tight end Max Linder said during practice this week. "I think we can come out with a 'W' if we go out and play our best game and put it all together like coach Brantley's been saying and preaching all year.

"We've got to put four quarters together and can't make many mistakes. If we do that, we'll have a good shot."

For the Celtics to have a shot against the Conquerors, Brantley said his offense, led by senior quarterback Reid Carlton, will have to shorten the game and string first downs together to keep Trinity Christian's offense off the field.

"We've got to pick our spots and slow the game down," said Brantley, who maintains a good friendship with Dorminey. "If we do that, maybe we can get them out of their comfort level. We can't let them get the rabbit out there."

Trinity Catholic has scored at least 30 points in its last six games, with Carlton progressing nicely with a cast of playmakers led by RB Johnny Taylor and pass catchers Rudi Outar, London Gaskin and Linder.

"This is by far the best team we're going to face all year," said Linder, who has 28 catches for 406 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "But they haven't seen the best of Trinity Catholic."

As good as the Conquerors are, they understand the high stakes of playoff football. Last year's 22-21 loss in the first round to Pensacola Catholic humbled Trinity Christian, Dorminey said. And Trinity Catholic offers those same challenges.

"We know Friday night is going to be a great ballgame that can go either way," said Dorminey. who has three state titles and is 38-15 in the playoffs since 1995. "When you get to the second and third playoff games, everyone is pretty good.

"And John's been through enough of these to know too that it's going to come down to breaks and luck. That's who is going to win."

<p>Jacksonville Trinity Christian head football coach Verlon Dorminey remembers the second round of the 2006 playoffs like it was yesterday. So much so that he couldn't help but admit that he might coach Friday's playoff game against visiting Trinity Catholic with an extra chip on his shoulder.</p><p>It was Friday night, Nov. 17, 2006 when John Brantley IV, Dion LeCorn, Antonio Allen and the Celtics marched into Jacksonville and handed the Conquerors a 45-0 loss in a game of unbeaten teams.</p><p>"It was nothing-nothing at the end of the first quarter and 24-0 in the second," Dorminey recalled. "It's obviously so far in the past for our kids now, but for us as a staff, we sure remember when Johnny and the boys came up here and whooped us."</p><p>This year's crop of Celtics (8-3) would like nothing better than a repeat performance of that day seven years ago when the two meet in the Class 3A, Region 1 final Friday night. It will be one of two playoff games involving county teams. North Marion (9-2) will host Bushnell South Sumter (11-0) in a Class 5A, Region 2 semifinal.</p><p>The task at hand for Trinity Catholic is no small order. Trinity Christian (9-1) is the state's top-ranked team in 3A and No. 1 nationally in a Maxpreps.com poll among small schools.</p><p>The Conquerors boast a junior class that is loaded with high-end Division I talent, including cornerback Kevin Toliver (LSU commit), outside linebacker Jeff Holland, safety Ben Edwards and defensive lineman Kendrick Norton.</p><p>"Our kids read the Internet and the paper and they've seen them at combines," Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley III said. "They know Trinity Christian is a talented bunch."</p><p>But Trinity Catholic is no stranger to facing top-notch competition this season. The Celtics took on IMG Academy, Clearwater Central Catholic and Tampa Jesuit. While they lost all three, valuable experience was gained along the way.</p><p>Brantley is no stranger to coaching against the state's best. Since his arrival in 2008, Brantley has nine wins against ranked teams, including a 2010 win over Jacksonville Bolles, which was ranked No. 1 at the time. Playoff wins against Pensacola Catholic and University School in 2010 also stick out. It's evident his players are buying into what he's selling.</p><p>"Trinity Christian is a good team and they're well coached with a lot of athletes out there, but we've been practicing hard all week and we've got a good game plan," senior tight end Max Linder said during practice this week. "I think we can come out with a 'W' if we go out and play our best game and put it all together like coach Brantley's been saying and preaching all year.</p><p>"We've got to put four quarters together and can't make many mistakes. If we do that, we'll have a good shot."</p><p>For the Celtics to have a shot against the Conquerors, Brantley said his offense, led by senior quarterback Reid Carlton, will have to shorten the game and string first downs together to keep Trinity Christian's offense off the field.</p><p>"We've got to pick our spots and slow the game down," said Brantley, who maintains a good friendship with Dorminey. "If we do that, maybe we can get them out of their comfort level. We can't let them get the rabbit out there."</p><p>Trinity Catholic has scored at least 30 points in its last six games, with Carlton progressing nicely with a cast of playmakers led by RB Johnny Taylor and pass catchers Rudi Outar, London Gaskin and Linder.</p><p>"This is by far the best team we're going to face all year," said Linder, who has 28 catches for 406 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "But they haven't seen the best of Trinity Catholic."</p><p>As good as the Conquerors are, they understand the high stakes of playoff football. Last year's 22-21 loss in the first round to Pensacola Catholic humbled Trinity Christian, Dorminey said. And Trinity Catholic offers those same challenges.</p><p>"We know Friday night is going to be a great ballgame that can go either way," said Dorminey. who has three state titles and is 38-15 in the playoffs since 1995. "When you get to the second and third playoff games, everyone is pretty good.</p><p>"And John's been through enough of these to know too that it's going to come down to breaks and luck. That's who is going to win."</p>